oPaula Franzese, The Peter W. Rodino Professor of Law, Seton Hall Law School

10:15 am Workshop Session I

See below for workshop topics & locations

11:45 am Lunch & Networking

oHeld in 2 different areas: The International Lounge and The Cove

12:45 pm Workshop Session II

See below for workshop topics & locations

2:15 Afternoon Plenary

oThe Challenges Facing New Jersey: A Youth Perspective

2:50 pm Closing and door prizes drawn

Workshop Session I: (10:15-11:30 am)

Storytelling and Social Change (Room 120C)

Presenter: Todd Wolfson

In this session we will discuss the role of media and storytelling in building our power for advocacy and change.

ALICE Report (Center Hall)

Presenter: Molly Rennie

The United Way ALICE Report for New Jersey provides the most comprehensive look at the population called ALICE – an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE households have incomes above the Federal Poverty Level but struggle to afford basic household necessities. The ALICE workshop will focus on an introduction to the updated New Jersey ALICE data by exploring the goals of the ALICE Project, key data for the state such as the Survival Budget and how the research is being used in New Jersey. Included in the workshop is a demonstration of interactive features which includes a wages dashboard, and the percentage of ALICE and where she lives, relative to key indicators such as obesity, rates of insurance and degree of housing burden for example. The workshop will conclude with how the ALICE research drives strategy and its impact beyond United Way and some of the next steps United Way of Northern New Jersey hopes to take.

Mt. Laurel Settlements and Community Engagement (Room 122AB)

Presenter: Rev. Eric Dobson

This workshop will review the great progress that been made with municipalities on the Council on Affordable Housing agreements and how advocates and community members can ensure municipal officials implement the housing agreements in a way that those most in need of affordable homes will have access to them.

The 94% (Room 117)

Presenters: Ryan Haygood, Demelza Baer, and Ron Pierce

In this panel, you will hear from the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice on its rallying call to the community to have Gov. Murphy focus on the systemic racism challenging the Black community in the areas of criminal & youth justice, civic engagement, and economic mobility. Specifically, the Institute will share with you its findings on major racial disparities in the state of New Jersey and the need for change. Institute Leaders will discuss efforts to create a youth justice commission, restore the right to vote, and erase racial income inequality—all efforts greatly impacting the 94%. The rally will be held on October 27th at noon at Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Newark.

Struggling to learn on an empty stomach: addressing hunger from elementary school through college

(Room 122C)

Presenters: Adele LaTourette and Lisa Pitz

Many school-aged children and college students in NJ live in households that struggle to put food on the table, impacting their ability to focus and learn in school. This workshop focuses on advocacy efforts to address food insecurity among students by improving access to federal nutrition programs and other resources.

Runaway Inequality (Room 120AB)

Presenter: Brandon Castro

This workshop will focus on building a common understanding among participants about the social and economic roots of low wages, poverty, and decaying social infrastructure. The workshop will identify key actors and economic policies at the state and federal level, including Wall-Street firms, which consistently thwart efforts to alleviate poverty and improve working conditions in our communities, and challenge us to consider how we can organize against them.

Workshop Session II: (12:45-2:00 pm)

Networking and Advocacy (Room 120C)

Presenter: Quincy Bloxom

This workshop will address the importance, what, who, and why of networking and advocacy. In addition, he will offer practical tips on how to network effectively as an advocate. Common communication distortions will also be discussed briefly. The presenter will also explain lessons learned while engaging in advocacy as a hybrid social worker and demonstrate ways in which an advocate may map out their current network and determine where to increase contacts to decrease social isolation. Presentation participants will compose their personal advocacy pitch as self-advocacy is always the goal!

Children’s Success is our Priority in Community Schools (Room 120AB)

Presenters: Amanda Adams and Nancy Holmes

The New Jersey Education Association has developed a partnership with the Camden School district to support the needs of their students. Participants will learn how the journey through the NJEA Priority Schools Initiative empowered the Camden Education Association to partner with the Camden School district to involve the community in turning their schools into strong community schools.

The Power of Images: Using Video to Tell Your Story (Room 122C)

Presenter: Sheila Quintana

Media Mobilizing project will share helpful tips on how to use video to advocate for social change. This workshop will explore the basics of composing an image that tells a story, documenting public events, setting up interview shots, and helpful tips for filming videos with a smart phone.

State of Innovation: Working to make NJ a leader in affordable & supportive housing development (Room122AB)

Presenters: Kristin Miller and Taiisa Kelly

The session will provide a broad overview of current and new initiatives for affordable and supportive housing development as well as discuss opportunities for advocacy and further change/improvements. The session will explore ways to include racial equity in the conversation about housing development setting an intentional path towards integration. Presenters will provide concrete examples of this work, present a call to action, and foster dialogue about this important issue.

ALICE Report (Center Hall)

Presenter: Molly Rennie

The United Way ALICE Report for New Jersey provides the most comprehensive look at the population called ALICE – an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE households have incomes above the Federal Poverty Level but struggle to afford basic household necessities. The ALICE workshop will focus on an introduction to the updated New Jersey ALICE data by exploring the goals of the ALICE Project, key data for the state such as the Survival Budget and how the research is being used in New Jersey. Included in the workshop is a demonstration of interactive features which includes a wages dashboard, and the percentage of ALICE and where she lives, relative to key indicators such as obesity, rates of insurance and degree of housing burden for example. The workshop will conclude with how the ALICE research drives strategy and its impact beyond United Way and some of the next steps United Way of Northern New Jersey hopes to take.